The Badger Cull: Part 1

   The incidence of Tuberculosis (TB) in badgers, the spread to cattle, and the resulting proposed cull of UK badgers has seen huge news coverage and debate in the past year. This story resurfaced after further scientific investigation gave way to a proposed badger hunt, which was postponed as of October this year. The most famous opponent to this cull is Dr Brian May, who has been campaigning to stop what some see as unnecessary killing of native species; and even has his own website to this end.

   The problem lies in the fact that badgers can spread TB to cattle (and vice versa), as the same bacterium causes the disease in both animals; Mycobacterium bovis. Once cattle are infected with TB, they can easily infect other cattle, and so have to be immediately killed; harming agricultural production. To get up-to-date on the matter as it stands, I suggest visiting the BBC Q&A on the topic.

Badgers are still threatened by a possible go-ahead on the proposed
cull to reduce incidences of bovine TB. Source.

   So over the next couple of posts I thought I would look at the scientific papers that provide evidence on whether a badger cull could be effective, and therefore whether it is right that we should seriously harm another species to aid our agriculture.